cultural resources
Management Program
Program Manager Contact Information:
Cultural Resources Program Manager | 252-466-3631
The intent of the Cultural Resources Management Program is to implement a historic and archaeological resources protection program for Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point and adhere to Marine Corps policies and procedures for compliance with Federal and state regulations applicable to the preservation of historic and archaeological resources. The Integrated Cultural Resources Management Plan (ICRMP) is the program’s primary instrument for ensuring environmental compliance. Implementation of the ICRMP includes the identification and evaluation of historic and archaeological resources pursuant to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) criteria for evaluation. The ICRMP also includes measures for protecting and preserving historic and archaeological resources within the mission of MCAS Cherry Point. A current inventory of the Air Station’s historic and archaeological resources is maintained on maps, in electronic databases, and in the geographic information system (GIS).
It is Federal government policy, as established by Marine Corps Order, to preserve important historic, archaeological, and cultural aspects of our national heritage wherever and whenever possible. It is also Federal policy to protect and preserve for Native Americans their inherent rights of freedom to believe, express, and exercise their traditional religions, and to return to affiliated Native American groups human remains, funerary objects, and objects of cultural patrimony located on Federal lands. Known historic and archaeological resources are located on MCAS Cherry Point and outlying field properties. An inventory of the resources is presented in MCAS Cherry Point’s ICRMP.
Marine Corps policy requires that all Marine Corps installations and activities comply with all applicable environmental requirements, which may include Federal, state, local, Department of Defense (DoD), Department of the Navy (DON), Marine Corps, and MCAS Cherry Point rules, regulations, and requirements. Legal and other environmental requirements related to the Cultural Resources Management Program are maintained on the EM Portal.
A complete description of the responsibilities of the Cultural Resources Management Program is available on the EM Portal. The primary component of the Cultural Resources Management Program is:
Implementation of the ICRMP
Marine Corps installations that administer Cultural Resources Management Programs must comply with applicable public laws and pursuant regulations and thereby inventory, identify, evaluate, protect, treat, curate, and interpret cultural resources and promote the wise management of cultural resources in cooperation with Federal, state, and local agencies. At MCAS Cherry Point, these activities are accomplished through implementation of the ICRMP as required by DoD Instruction.
The Natural Resources Program Manager also serves as the Program Manager for the Cultural Resources Management Program and is responsible for the development and implementation of the ICRMP. The ICRMP serves as the primary guideline for the management of the historic and archaeological resources at MCAS Cherry Point. The standard operating procedures for identifying and protecting historic and archaeological resources are provided in the ICRMP.
There are no additional training requirements associated with this program.
The risk of negative environmental impacts from MCAS Cherry Point operations may be assessed by analyzing the practices that occur at the facility. Aspects are the characteristics of these practices that can cause an impact to the environment or other resource. It is Marine Corps policy that all Marine Corps installations identify and assess the environmental risk of the practices and aspects associated with each environmental program. Significant practices and/or aspects associated with this program include:
When necessary, objectives and targets (O&T) are developed in order to minimize the environmental risks posed by the facility’s practices and to track progress towards achieving environmental goals. Any O&Ts related to the Cultural Resources Management Program and their associated actions to improve performance are maintained on the EM Portal. Currently, there are no O&Ts associated with this program.
The Cultural Resources Management Program is evaluated under each triennial Benchmark Environmental Compliance Evaluation (ECE). Findings and corrective actions from these audits are maintained on the EM Portal.